A Runner’s Thoughts: “There are as many reasons for running as there are days in the year, years in my life. But mostly I run because I am an animal and a child, an artist and a saint. So, too, are you. Find your own play, your own self-renewing compulsion, and you will become the person you are meant to be.” (George Sheehan)
Yes, there are many reasons to run, to walk or to move through life another way. I run because I am a man of faith, created in the image and likeness of God, a Passionist, a priest, a human being who wants to be the best person I can be. I run because God is present in nature, it people, in the gift of a new day and if I am running I encounter all these things. I run because with each breathe there is hope, there is beauty and there is life. So as George Sheehan says above, “Find your own way of moving through life, your own rewarding compulsion, your own rewarding activity and become the person you are meant to be.” Become the person God has created you to be.
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A Runner’s Thoughts: “My philosophy on running is, I don't dwell on it, I do it.” (Joan Benoit Samuelson) My theology is to not to just think about God as I run, walk or move through life another way but to bring God with me one my runs, my walks or my movement through life!
A Runner’s Thoughts: I often hear someone say I'm not a real runner. We are all runners, some just run faster than others. I never met a fake runner. (Bart Yasso) Might we also say this about people of faith? It is easy to judge, but we never know what is in a person’s heart. With that said I have never met a fake person of faith!
A Runner’s Thoughts: “I do notice that a lot of the best thinking I get done, or ideas generation, or problem solving, happens when I’m running and trying to focus on stuff outside of my head.” (Nicholas Thompson, marathoner and author) Whether we run or walk or move through life another way our time of movement can be the best time to focus on things outside ourselves, perhaps like God. Our time of movement can also be a time of prayer!
A Runner’s Thoughts: “There are always going to be waves on the surface. Instead of trying to bodysurf or change the tides, the wisest thing to do is dive deeper.” (Kristin Armstrong) So to in the spiritual life…
A Runner’s Thoughts: “My philosophy on running is, I don't dwell on it, I do it.” (Joan Benoit Samuelson) My theology of running, walking or moving through life another way is to not to just think about God as I run, walk or move but to bring God with me one my journey!
A Runner's Thoughts: At first an ordeal and then an accomplishment, the daily run becomes a staple, like bread, or wine... or air. (Benjamin Cheever, author and Runner's World contributor) We might also say that the daily run or walk or movement though life some other way also becomes our prayer, our conversation with God each day!
A Runner’s Thoughts: “We run and we feel better, more optimistic and grateful for our bodies, for our lives, our people, our health, and our work. It’s so important we remind each other and teach our girls the beauty of our bodies is in what our bodies can do, not what they look like doing it.” (Kristin Armstrong)
A Runner’s Thoughts: “Running, much like life, [faith and the spiritual life], has its hills and valleys. On any given run, and particularly in most marathons, we come across easy stretches and seemingly impossible challenges. I have learned to just keep going. The tough moments never last, and the easy stretches are always a joy. The same is clearly true in life [in faith and the spiritual life], if we just keep going we'll get to that finish line with water, massages, and bananas! [And friendship with God!] (Main part of quote by Will Starr, Runner's World Challenger of the Week – I add what is in the brackets)
A Runner’s Thoughts: “Struggling and suffering are the essence of a life worth living. If you're not pushing yourself beyond the comfort zone, if you're not demanding more from yourself - expanding and learning as you go - you're choosing a numb existence. You're denying yourself an extraordinary trip.” (Dean Karnazes)
Isn’t this true also of life and what Jesus challenges us with in the Gospels? Jesus always moved beyond his comfort zone. He always demanded more of himself and those around him. He always asked those who would listen, those who would believe, to learn so they could expand their thinking and their life. Jesus always wants to take us on an extraordinary trip so when we run let’s make sure we take him with us! |
Fr. Paul R. Fagan, C.P. "Preacher on the Run!"A thought from time to time about Running and Life! Archives
May 2023
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